n the spoon knows the taste of the soup. 6 65.

If for a moment a wise man attends upon one who is

spiritually mature, he quickly perceives the truth, as the tongue at once detects the taste of the soup.
7 66. Of evil understanding, the spiritually immature live as enemies to themselves, committing
sinful deeds, the consequences of which are bitter. 8 67. That deed is not well done which, being
done, one repents, (and) the result of which one suffers with tearful face and lamentations. 9 68.
That deed is well done which, being done, one does not repent, (and) the result of which one
receives gladly. 10 69. So long as it has not ripened, the spiritually immature one thinks sin as sweet
as honey; (but) when sin does ripen, then the spiritually immature one suffers a downfall. 11 70.
Month after month, a spiritually immature person may eat his food with the tip of a blade of
(sacred) kusa-grass,6 (yet) his worth is not a fraction (lit., not a sixteenth part) of those who have
ascertained the truth. 12 71. Unlike milk, which flows7 immediately (the teat is sucked), the sin that
has been committed does not at once bear fruit. (Instead) it pursues the spiritually immature person
like a fire covered with ashes, burning him (only after a time). 13 72. The spiritually immature
person wins (theoretical religious) knowledge only to his own disadvantage; it destroys his better
nature while splitting his head. 14 73. One who is spiritually immature desires a false reputation,
honour among fellow almsmen, authority over monastic settlements, and respect from the families
(living) round about. 15 74. ‘Let both those householders and those who have gone forth (from the
household life) approve what I have done; let them be subject to me in all undertakings, great and
small.’ Such is the wish of the spiritually immature, (as a result of which) his craving and conceit
increase. 16 75. One thing is that which leads to (worldly) gain; quite another the way that leads to
Nirvana. Thus comprehending, let the almsman, the disciple of the Buddha, take no delight in
respectful greetings, but devote himself to solitude. vi The Spiritually Mature 1 76. Should one see
a man of understanding who, as if indicating a (buried) treasure, points out faults and administers
reproof, let one associate with such a spiritually mature person. To associate with one like this is
good, not evil. 2 77. Let him instruct, let him advise, let him restrain (one) from uncivilized
behaviour, (and the result will be that) he will be dear to the good and detestable to the bad. 3 78.
Do not associate with evil friends; do not associate with low fellows. Associate with spiritual
friends; associate with superior men (purisuttamas). 4 79. One who has imbibed the Truth lives
happily with well-seeing mind. The spiritually mature person delights in the Truth made known by
the Noble (ariyas). 5 80. Irrigators draw off waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters shape
wood; the spiritually mature discipline themselves. 6 81. As a solid rock cannot be shaken by the
wind, so the spiritually mature person is unmoved by praise or blame. 7 82. Hearing the Truth of
Things, the spiritually mature win insight like a deep lake (suddenly) becoming clear and
undisturbed. 8 83. True men give up everything; the righteous do not speak wishing for sensuous
pleasures. Touched now by pleasure, now by pain, the spiritually mature show neither elation nor
depression. 9 84. Not for one’s own sake, nor for the sake of others, should one desire sons, wealth,
or territory; one should not desire success for oneself by unrighteous means. He (who behaves in
such a way) is virtuous, is wise, is righteous. 10 85. Few among men are those who go to the
Further Shore. The other (ordinary) people chase up and down this shore. 11 86. Those people who
conform themselves t